Electrical switch housing



A. G. EISENBERG ELECTRICAL SWITCH HOUSING April 5, 1960 Filed April 17, 1957 FIG.

ALAN G. EISEN BERG INVENTOR M711 $7 1M W ATTORNEYS United 2,931,878 ELECTRICAL SWITCH HOUSING Alan G. Eisenberg, Baltimore, Md.

Application April 17, 1957, Serial No. 653,372

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-168) The following specification describes an improved electrical switch housing of the type which can be mounted on the casing of electric machinery such as motors, fans, pumps and the like. These machines can thus be switched on or off at will from a distance. By utilizing wellknown miniature toggle switches the housing is capable of adaptation to any conventional motor casing. The housing permits the switch to be operated mechanically as by a float, wire, or the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to mount a miniature toggle switch within an enclosure that can be mounted at the convenience of the user for efficient, safe operation.

Another object is to improve the leverage of the handle of the toggle switch for remote control.

A further object is to provide a member within the housing for holding the switch in rigid position.

A still further object is to provide guided means for operating the switch lever in its plane of movement.

Among the objects of the invention is the reinforcement of the switch housing beneath the end through which the switch lever is operated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent and readily understood from the following description of the preferred form of the invention in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the novel housing with the top removed;

Fig. 2 is a top plan thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The novel housing 4 is an integral casting of metal ceramic or plastic material having a removable top (not shown) and an open bottom. Its general form is rectangular modified as may be desired to conform to the surface of the electrical equipment with which it is used. Such equipment may be a motor, fan, pump, lighting fixture or other similar device.

The housing has a flange 5 across the open bottom at one end 6 for reinforcement of that end which is weakened by a slot 7 for the full or major depth.

A partition 8 extends vertically across the housing intermediate the ends. This partition may be at right angles to the sides of the housing or at any desired angle. The essential feature is that it should be perpendicular to a line drawn to the slot 7.

The partition has a slot 9 which forms a seat for the miniature switch 10. This switch has an end screw col- 2,931,878 Patented Apr. 5, 1960 provided. This rod is removablyscrewed, clamped or otherwise attached to the lever 14 by a sleeve 16. The

end of the rod 15 projects beyond the end 6 of the hous- I it may be operated by a link, float arm, wire or similar lar 11. A nut 12 screwed on the collar 11 will clamp the switch firmly in the seat formed by the slot 9.

Conducting wires 13 are connected to the switch 10 and are led out of the housing at any convenient point.

The switch is operated by a small toggle lever 14 extending through the collar 11. This lever oscillates in a plane perpendicular to the bottom of the housing.

In order to enable the switch lever to be moved from i a point outside of the housing, an extension rod 15 is chanical operating means.

mechanical means.

The arrangement thus described provides for adapting the conventional miniature toggle switch to use by me- It increases the throw or movement of the toggle lever so that closer control can be given it. The operating rod is constrained to move in the plane of movement of the toggle lever.

The housing is well adapted for mounting on whatever suitable or convenient base is present. The housing is especially reinforced by reason of its particular structure.

It will be apparent that various changes can be made in minor details of construction, proportions and materials without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. An integral housing for an electrical switch having open top and bottom, a transverse partition extending from said top to bottom and having a recess to hold a switch unit on one side of the partition with its operating lever on the opposite side of the partition for oscillating movement between said top and bottom, the end of said housing opposite the lever of the switch being slotted from the top to the bottom of the plane of the movement of the switch lever.

2. An integral housing for an electrical switch having open top and bottom, a transverse partition extending from said top to bottom and having a recess to hold a switch unit on one side of the partition with its operating lever on the opposite side of the partition for oscillating movement between said top and bottom, the end of said housing opposite the lever of the switch being slotted from the top to the bottom in the plane of the movement of the switch lever and a flange across the open bottom beyond the said slot.

3. In combination, a switch unit having an oscillating operating lever, an integral housing therefor, said housing having open top and bottom, a transverse partition extending from said top to bottom and having a recess, said switch unit being held in said recess with the unit on one side of the recess and the lever on the other side,

the end of the housing opposite the switch being slotted from the top to the bottom in the plane of the movement of the switch lever.

4. In combination, a switch unit having an oscillating operating lever, an integral housing therefor, said housing having open top and bottom, a transverse partition extending from said top to bottom and having a recess, said switch unit being held in said recess with the unit on one side of the recess and the lever on the other side, the end of the housing opposite the switch being slotted from the top to the bottom in the plane of the movement of the switch lever, and an extension rod on the lever projecting through the slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,111,311 Child 2.171. 15, 1938 2,252,829 Bell Aug. 19, 1941 ,3 4,224 Stein July 25, 1944 2,423,938 JQhanSSQIl July 15, 1941 

